Automated covering for an automobile

Abstract

A vehicle is equipped with an automated device for covering the windows of the vehicle. The device comprises a collection container, a plurality of the extensions attached to the collection container, a motor attached to the collection container to rotate the collection container, and a covering attached to the plurality of extensions and sized to cover the windows of the vehicle. The rotation of the collection container extends and retracts the plurality of extensions which results in the deployment of the covering over the windows of the vehicle and the collection of the covering from the windows of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of extensions comprises malleable metal strips with eyelets at the end of the metal strips. The eyelets and the metal strips are positioned within sleeves or channels which are made integral to the covering. The covering includes a reflective fabric that is substantially opaque to sunlight.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An automated device for covering the windows of a vehicle, comprising:
 a collection container; 
 a plurality of extensions attached to the collection container and positioned to be substantially retained within and extended from the collection container; 
 a motor attached to the collection container to rotate the collection container, whereby rotation of the collection container extends and retracts the plurality of extensions; 
 a covering attached to the plurality of extensions and sized to cover the windows of the automobile; and 
 a top attached to the collection container and positioned to retain the covering when the plurality of extensions are retracted. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , further including a based attached to the collection container and positioned to engage the vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the top further includes:
 a cylinder; 
 a lid; 
 a plurality of rods extending radially from the cylinder; and 
 a plurality of adjustable adjuncts hinged to the lid, each adjunct attached to one of the rods, whereby rotation of the cylinder opens and closes the plurality of adjustable adjuncts. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 extension of the plurality of extensions deploys the covering; and 
 retraction of the plurality of extensions collects the covering. 
 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the covering includes a plurality of sleeves and each extension is positioned within one of the sleeves. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of extensions includes attachment ends connecting each extension to the covering. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the covering includes reflective fabric. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the reflective fabric is substantially opaque to sunlight. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a control system controlling the operation of the motor. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of extensions comprises semi-stiff metal strips. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , further including a plurality of tracks position to guide the covering during deployment. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , further including a plurality of sliding guides attached to the covering and positioned in one of the tracks to guide the covering during deployment. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of extensions are cables. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is attached to the roof of the vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is positioned in the trunk of the vehicle. 
     
     
       16. An automated device for covering the windows of a vehicle, comprising:
 a base; 
 a drum attached to the base; 
 a top attached to the drum; 
 a plurality of malleable strips attached to the drum; 
 a cloth attached to the plurality of malleable strips and sized to cover the windows of the vehicle; 
 a motor attached to the drum to rotate the drum, whereby rotation of the drum radially extends and retracts the plurality of malleable strips from the drum; and 
 wherein extension and retraction of the plurality of malleable strips deploys the cloth from the top and collects the cloth within the top. 
 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the top further includes:
 a cylinder; 
 a lid; 
 a plurality of rods extending radially from the cylinder; and 
 a plurality of adjustable flaps hinged to the lid, each flap is attached to one of the rods, whereby rotation of the cylinder opens and closes the plurality of adjustable flaps. 
 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 16 , wherein each malleable strip includes an attachment end connecting each malleable strip to the cloth. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 16 , wherein the cloth includes reflective fabric substantially opaque to sunlight. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 16 , further including
 a plurality of tracks operatively extending from the base; and 
 a plurality of sliding guides attached to one of the tracks, engaging at least one of the malleable strips, and position to guide the cloth to cover the windows of the automobile.